POT: Just as we must implement the voters’ wishes on marijuana, we are obligated to make sure that children and parents understand brain development and the risks of underage use. We are committed to a securing a safe, regulated and responsible environment. This will be one of the great social experiments of this century, and while not all of us chose it, being first means we all share a responsibility to do it properly.

IT’S THE RULE: Through a statewide effort called Pits and Peeves, we have also reviewed, modified or repealed nearly 11,000 state rules — many of which were redundant and flat-out dumb.

SAGE GROUSE: The viability of the sage grouse has bedeviled Western states for a decade. As chair of the Western Governors’ Association, I believe we can protect the sage grouse while at the same time allowing ranches, farms and other economic activity to flourish.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.